As new forms of family and ‘non-traditional’ families grow in number, there is a need for understanding of these “new” arrangements and models of parenthood. This ground-breaking book discusses, ...
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As new forms of family and ‘non-traditional’ families grow in number, there is a need for understanding of these “new” arrangements and models of parenthood. This ground-breaking book discusses, using a comparative and a sociological perspective, examples of the relationship between changing gender identities and processes of family formation in the Western experience: including asexual couples; childfree women and men; living apart together (LAT) couples; lone mothers and fathers; homosexual and trans parents. The book shows that, in the 21st century, it is possible to live, love, form a family without sex, without children, without a shared home, without a partner, without a working husband, without a heterosexual orientation or without a “biological” sexual body. This unique book also discusses the political implications—in terms of social movements characteristics and demands—of these emerging dimensions of family life. Such changes are likely to be of interest for a wide range of educational and policy areas which impact on families, women, men, and children and the book will therefore be of interest to a wide readership.Less

Diversity in family life : Gender, relationships and social change

Elisabetta Ruspini

Published in print: 2013-06-19

As new forms of family and ‘non-traditional’ families grow in number, there is a need for understanding of these “new” arrangements and models of parenthood. This ground-breaking book discusses, using a comparative and a sociological perspective, examples of the relationship between changing gender identities and processes of family formation in the Western experience: including asexual couples; childfree women and men; living apart together (LAT) couples; lone mothers and fathers; homosexual and trans parents. The book shows that, in the 21st century, it is possible to live, love, form a family without sex, without children, without a shared home, without a partner, without a working husband, without a heterosexual orientation or without a “biological” sexual body. This unique book also discusses the political implications—in terms of social movements characteristics and demands—of these emerging dimensions of family life. Such changes are likely to be of interest for a wide range of educational and policy areas which impact on families, women, men, and children and the book will therefore be of interest to a wide readership.

This book provides the first detailed discussion in the UK of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) in same sex relationships, offering a unique comparison with DVA experienced by heterosexual women and ...
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This book provides the first detailed discussion in the UK of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) in same sex relationships, offering a unique comparison with DVA experienced by heterosexual women and men. It examines how experiences of DVA may be shaped by gender, sexuality and age, including whether and how victims/survivors seek help, and asks, what’s love got to do with it? A pioneering methodology, using both quantitative and qualitative research, challenges the heteronormative model in domestic violence research, policy and practice. The findings show similarities and differences in experiences of DVA across sexuality and gender, although DVA in both same sex and heterosexual relationships can be characterised as the exertion of power and control. There are differences by gender in same sex DVA relationships, with gay men significantly more likely to experience sexual violence and have their spending controlled. Young age, low income and low education predict particular vulnerabilities to DVA in same sex relationships, and being newly out can position somebody as younger and more vulnerable to abuse regardless of biological age. Practices of love are instrumental in establishing relationship rules across sexuality and gender, and are gendered in complex ways: an abusive partner can be needy/express need (associated with femininity) whilst also being the key decision-maker in the relationship (associated with masculinity. The book concludes with implications for practice and service development, including the new COHSAR wheel, building on the Duluth wheel by incorporating intersectionality, relationship rules and practices of love as well as power and control.Less

Domestic violence and sexuality : What’s love got to do with it?

Catherine DonovanMarianne Hester

Published in print: 2014-04-29

This book provides the first detailed discussion in the UK of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) in same sex relationships, offering a unique comparison with DVA experienced by heterosexual women and men. It examines how experiences of DVA may be shaped by gender, sexuality and age, including whether and how victims/survivors seek help, and asks, what’s love got to do with it? A pioneering methodology, using both quantitative and qualitative research, challenges the heteronormative model in domestic violence research, policy and practice. The findings show similarities and differences in experiences of DVA across sexuality and gender, although DVA in both same sex and heterosexual relationships can be characterised as the exertion of power and control. There are differences by gender in same sex DVA relationships, with gay men significantly more likely to experience sexual violence and have their spending controlled. Young age, low income and low education predict particular vulnerabilities to DVA in same sex relationships, and being newly out can position somebody as younger and more vulnerable to abuse regardless of biological age. Practices of love are instrumental in establishing relationship rules across sexuality and gender, and are gendered in complex ways: an abusive partner can be needy/express need (associated with femininity) whilst also being the key decision-maker in the relationship (associated with masculinity. The book concludes with implications for practice and service development, including the new COHSAR wheel, building on the Duluth wheel by incorporating intersectionality, relationship rules and practices of love as well as power and control.

Women's increased role in the labour market has combined with concerns about the damaging effects of long working hours to push time-related issues up the policy agenda in many Western nations. This ...
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Women's increased role in the labour market has combined with concerns about the damaging effects of long working hours to push time-related issues up the policy agenda in many Western nations. This book assesses policy alternatives in the light of feminist theory and factual evidence. It introduces mainstream ideas on the nature and political significance of time and re-frames them from a feminist perspective to provide a critical overview of policies in Western welfare states. Themes covered include gender differences in time use and the impact of ‘time poverty’ on women's citizenship; the need to value time spent giving and receiving care; the social meanings of time and whether we can talk about ‘women's time’ and ‘men's time’; and the role of the past in framing policy options today.Less

Gender and the politics of time : Feminist theory and contemporary debates

Valerie Bryson

Published in print: 2007-11-21

Women's increased role in the labour market has combined with concerns about the damaging effects of long working hours to push time-related issues up the policy agenda in many Western nations. This book assesses policy alternatives in the light of feminist theory and factual evidence. It introduces mainstream ideas on the nature and political significance of time and re-frames them from a feminist perspective to provide a critical overview of policies in Western welfare states. Themes covered include gender differences in time use and the impact of ‘time poverty’ on women's citizenship; the need to value time spent giving and receiving care; the social meanings of time and whether we can talk about ‘women's time’ and ‘men's time’; and the role of the past in framing policy options today.

The transformations that are now taking place in women's lives are of great interest to social scientists and policy makers, yet we know very little about the impact of this social change over time. ...
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The transformations that are now taking place in women's lives are of great interest to social scientists and policy makers, yet we know very little about the impact of this social change over time. This new study uses longitudinal data — information gathered over a considerable period of time — to provide new insights into the changing dynamics of lives of women today. In particular, it explores the potential of longitudinal or life course analysis as a powerful tool for appreciating the gender dimension of social life. The contributors view the data from a policy perspective and use comparative analysis from Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Japan to expand our understanding of women's life courses in relation to both men and women and the system of inequality.Less

The gender dimension of social change : The contribution of dynamic research to the study of women's life courses

Published in print: 2002-05-29

The transformations that are now taking place in women's lives are of great interest to social scientists and policy makers, yet we know very little about the impact of this social change over time. This new study uses longitudinal data — information gathered over a considerable period of time — to provide new insights into the changing dynamics of lives of women today. In particular, it explores the potential of longitudinal or life course analysis as a powerful tool for appreciating the gender dimension of social life. The contributors view the data from a policy perspective and use comparative analysis from Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Japan to expand our understanding of women's life courses in relation to both men and women and the system of inequality.

Gender equality is often seen as a hallmark of the Nordic countries. This book explores this notion by examining the meanings of gender that underpin policies in the Scandinavian welfare states, ...
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Gender equality is often seen as a hallmark of the Nordic countries. This book explores this notion by examining the meanings of gender that underpin policies in the Scandinavian welfare states, historically and today. It focuses on three Scandinavian countries – Denmark, Norway, and Sweden – and the policy reforms that have occurred relating to family and care. Beginning with the radical marriage reform carried through in all the three countries in the early decades of the twentieth century, the book progresses to explore contemporary challenges to the traditional model of equality, including equal rights for fathers, multiculturalism, and a critical young generation. It focuses on both differences and similarities between the countries and discusses the relevance of talking about a Nordic model. Stressing the importance of viewing the concept of equality in its historical context, the book critically investigates and discusses the Scandinavian ‘success story’ portrayed in normative political theory and presents an historical analysis of the development of gendered citizenship rights.Less

Gender equality and welfare politics in Scandinavia : The limits of political ambition?

Published in print: 2009-05-05

Gender equality is often seen as a hallmark of the Nordic countries. This book explores this notion by examining the meanings of gender that underpin policies in the Scandinavian welfare states, historically and today. It focuses on three Scandinavian countries – Denmark, Norway, and Sweden – and the policy reforms that have occurred relating to family and care. Beginning with the radical marriage reform carried through in all the three countries in the early decades of the twentieth century, the book progresses to explore contemporary challenges to the traditional model of equality, including equal rights for fathers, multiculturalism, and a critical young generation. It focuses on both differences and similarities between the countries and discusses the relevance of talking about a Nordic model. Stressing the importance of viewing the concept of equality in its historical context, the book critically investigates and discusses the Scandinavian ‘success story’ portrayed in normative political theory and presents an historical analysis of the development of gendered citizenship rights.

The understanding of welfare states has been much enriched by comparative work on welfare regimes and gender. This book uses these debates to illuminate the changing gender regimes in countries of ...
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The understanding of welfare states has been much enriched by comparative work on welfare regimes and gender. This book uses these debates to illuminate the changing gender regimes in countries of Central and Eastern Europe. It has particular significance as countries in the region make the transition from communism into a European Union (EU) that has issues of women's employment, work–life balance, and gender equality at the heart of its social policy. The countries of Western Europe have, to varying degrees, been changing from a traditional male breadwinner/female carer model towards that of a duel earner, although in reality most are one-and-a-half, with women's paid work competing with their care work. But what is the trajectory of those countries of Central and Eastern Europe now joining the EU? The transition from communism has challenged those welfare structures that supported women in the labour market. Are these countries re-traditionalising as women's employment reduces, nurseries close and competition puts mothers at a disadvantage? The analysis draws on quantitative comparative data and on qualitative data from a new study of mothers in Polish households, illuminating the effects of changing welfare and gender relations from the perspective of those most directly affected – the mothers of young children.Less

Gender regimes in transition in Central and Eastern Europe

Gillian Pascall

Published in print: 2009-05-01

The understanding of welfare states has been much enriched by comparative work on welfare regimes and gender. This book uses these debates to illuminate the changing gender regimes in countries of Central and Eastern Europe. It has particular significance as countries in the region make the transition from communism into a European Union (EU) that has issues of women's employment, work–life balance, and gender equality at the heart of its social policy. The countries of Western Europe have, to varying degrees, been changing from a traditional male breadwinner/female carer model towards that of a duel earner, although in reality most are one-and-a-half, with women's paid work competing with their care work. But what is the trajectory of those countries of Central and Eastern Europe now joining the EU? The transition from communism has challenged those welfare structures that supported women in the labour market. Are these countries re-traditionalising as women's employment reduces, nurseries close and competition puts mothers at a disadvantage? The analysis draws on quantitative comparative data and on qualitative data from a new study of mothers in Polish households, illuminating the effects of changing welfare and gender relations from the perspective of those most directly affected – the mothers of young children.

An emerging consensus sees British pension policy as unravelling. Yet the gender impact of expanding private pension provision and relying increasingly on means-testing has been largely overlooked. ...
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An emerging consensus sees British pension policy as unravelling. Yet the gender impact of expanding private pension provision and relying increasingly on means-testing has been largely overlooked. This book examines key issues such as: how pension choices over the lifecourse are structured by gender, class, and ethnicity; the impact of changing patterns of partnership and parenthood on pension building; the distributional impact of privatising pensions; questions about individualisation of rights, survivor benefits, a citizen's pension, and means-testing; and the EU dimension – comparing alternative strategies for improving gender equity.Less

Gender, pensions and the lifecourse : How pensions need to adapt to changing family forms

Jay Ginn

Published in print: 2003-06-11

An emerging consensus sees British pension policy as unravelling. Yet the gender impact of expanding private pension provision and relying increasingly on means-testing has been largely overlooked. This book examines key issues such as: how pension choices over the lifecourse are structured by gender, class, and ethnicity; the impact of changing patterns of partnership and parenthood on pension building; the distributional impact of privatising pensions; questions about individualisation of rights, survivor benefits, a citizen's pension, and means-testing; and the EU dimension – comparing alternative strategies for improving gender equity.

This is a collectively written, inter-disciplinary, thematic cross-national study that combines conceptual, theoretical, empirical, and policy material so as to explore a key concept in contemporary ...
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This is a collectively written, inter-disciplinary, thematic cross-national study that combines conceptual, theoretical, empirical, and policy material so as to explore a key concept in contemporary European political, policy, and academic debates. The first part of the book clarifies the various ways in which the concept of citizenship has developed historically and is understood today in a range of Western European welfare states. It elaborates on the contemporary framing of debates and struggles around citizenship. This provides a framework for three policy studies, looking at: migration and multiculturalism; the care of young children; and home-based childcare and transnational dynamics. The book is unusual in weaving together the topics of migration and childcare, and in studying these issues together within a gendered citizenship framework. It also demonstrates the value of a multi-level conceptualisation of citizenship, stretching from the domestic sphere through the national and European levels to the global.Less

Gendering citizenship in Western Europe : New challenges for citizenship research in a cross-national context

Ruth Lister

Published in print: 2007-05-16

This is a collectively written, inter-disciplinary, thematic cross-national study that combines conceptual, theoretical, empirical, and policy material so as to explore a key concept in contemporary European political, policy, and academic debates. The first part of the book clarifies the various ways in which the concept of citizenship has developed historically and is understood today in a range of Western European welfare states. It elaborates on the contemporary framing of debates and struggles around citizenship. This provides a framework for three policy studies, looking at: migration and multiculturalism; the care of young children; and home-based childcare and transnational dynamics. The book is unusual in weaving together the topics of migration and childcare, and in studying these issues together within a gendered citizenship framework. It also demonstrates the value of a multi-level conceptualisation of citizenship, stretching from the domestic sphere through the national and European levels to the global.

Gendering Women is an engaging and accessible account of how constructions of femininity fundamentally affect women’s mental wellbeing through the life course. Led by women’s life history accounts of ...
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Gendering Women is an engaging and accessible account of how constructions of femininity fundamentally affect women’s mental wellbeing through the life course. Led by women’s life history accounts of growing up and growing older in the north of England, this book shows how experiences of becoming and being a woman – in family life, education, employment, motherhood and situations of violence – both enable and erode self confidence and esteem. The challenges to women’s mental wellbeing cut across age and class differences and have profound impacts on the material conditions of women’s lives throughout the life course. This is in turn a driver of inequality that is often under-recognised in mainstream policy. Based on feminist and ethnographically informed research with over five hundred women Gendering women provides a critical link between gender theory and the lived realities of women’s daily lives and will appeal to students and academics in sociology and social sciences.Less

Gendering women : Identity and mental wellbeing through the lifecourse

Suzanne ClisbyJulia Holdsworth

Published in print: 2014-08-13

Gendering Women is an engaging and accessible account of how constructions of femininity fundamentally affect women’s mental wellbeing through the life course. Led by women’s life history accounts of growing up and growing older in the north of England, this book shows how experiences of becoming and being a woman – in family life, education, employment, motherhood and situations of violence – both enable and erode self confidence and esteem. The challenges to women’s mental wellbeing cut across age and class differences and have profound impacts on the material conditions of women’s lives throughout the life course. This is in turn a driver of inequality that is often under-recognised in mainstream policy. Based on feminist and ethnographically informed research with over five hundred women Gendering women provides a critical link between gender theory and the lived realities of women’s daily lives and will appeal to students and academics in sociology and social sciences.

Health inequalities have emerged as a key global concern in the early twenty-first century notably in the work of Wilkinson and Pickett (2009) and also of Michael Marmot (2008) for the World Health ...
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Health inequalities have emerged as a key global concern in the early twenty-first century notably in the work of Wilkinson and Pickett (2009) and also of Michael Marmot (2008) for the World Health Organisation. Health inequalities are differences between individuals’ health experiences or outcomes which stem from social inequalities, including sexual orientation and gender identity. While there is a substantial body of evidence that social inequalities lead to poorer health outcomes in relation to class, ‘race’ and gender, there has been little examination of the social inequalities and poor health outcomes experienced by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) people. The health of LGBT people may be compromised by a range of factors including homelessness, being a looked after child, gender nonconformity especially in childhood, in End of Life Care or living in residential care. Social workers play a key role in supporting LGBT people when their health is impaired, but they can also take action to actively promote health and well-being. This book will engage with social work’s contribution to reducing LGBT health inequalities, in particular: by examining key concepts relevant to health inequalities including the social determinants of health and human rights approaches; showcasing social work interventions aimed at making a difference in LGBT people’s health and social care outcomes; discussing research and curricula developments in social work which inform good practice.Less

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans health inequalities : International perspectives in social work

Published in print: 2015-03-18

Health inequalities have emerged as a key global concern in the early twenty-first century notably in the work of Wilkinson and Pickett (2009) and also of Michael Marmot (2008) for the World Health Organisation. Health inequalities are differences between individuals’ health experiences or outcomes which stem from social inequalities, including sexual orientation and gender identity. While there is a substantial body of evidence that social inequalities lead to poorer health outcomes in relation to class, ‘race’ and gender, there has been little examination of the social inequalities and poor health outcomes experienced by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) people. The health of LGBT people may be compromised by a range of factors including homelessness, being a looked after child, gender nonconformity especially in childhood, in End of Life Care or living in residential care. Social workers play a key role in supporting LGBT people when their health is impaired, but they can also take action to actively promote health and well-being. This book will engage with social work’s contribution to reducing LGBT health inequalities, in particular: by examining key concepts relevant to health inequalities including the social determinants of health and human rights approaches; showcasing social work interventions aimed at making a difference in LGBT people’s health and social care outcomes; discussing research and curricula developments in social work which inform good practice.